President Vladimir Putin

President Vladimir Putin answers questions at a news conference in Moscow at the end of December at which he said he would sign the law banning adoptions by Americans.

President Vladimir Putin answers questions at a news conference in Moscow at the end of December at which he said he would sign the law banning adoptions by Americans. (Sergei L. Loiko / Los Angeles Times)

President Vladimir Putin answers questions at a news conference in Moscow at the end of December at which he said he would sign the law banning adoptions by Americans.